[UPDATE] 5 Chain Restaurants We Want to Come to Rockford

Rockford's food scene is about to get a makeover with the upcoming openings of Buona Beef and Rainbow Cone. Discover the other popular restaurants on our culinary wishlist.

As a Disney movie character might say, wishes really do come true, and we get to cross one of these chain restaurants off of our WISH LIST.

Almost no other chain restaurant gets mentioned as much as Raising Cane's when you ask Rockford residents what place they wish would come to Rockford.

Rockford is getting a Raising Cane's restaurant soon. It will open in the old Stone Eagle Tavern location on East State Street.

It's that dipping sauce that will turn you into a quick fan.

Here's a great copycat recipe for Raising Cane's dipping sauce.

Businesses We Wish Would Come to Rockford

It doesn't matter what Rockford resident you talk to, we all have a favorite store, restaurant, or business we've been exposed to while traveling that DOES NOT have a location back here in Rockford.

Almost everyone mentions Trader Joe's or Whole Foods almost immediately. I don't have confirmation on this but I think they both hate Rockford because all we keep getting are new or remodeled Aldi stores. No disrespect to Aldi but I'd love to see what all the TJ and WF hype is all about.

When that conversation gets to restaurants, we're all over the place with our favorites. Rather than share all the places that made our (informal Facebook) list, here are the chain restaurants mentioned most often.

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5 Chain Restaurants We Would LOVE To See Come to Rockford

Cheesecake Factory

Bonefish Grill

In-N-Out Burger

MORE: Here’s the Next Illinois Shopping Mall Closing Its Doors Forever

Waffle House

The Melting Pot

MORE: Popular Chicago Joint Inducted Into Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame

Other chains not mentioned as often included:

• White Castle
• Uncle Julio's
• Insomnia Cookies
• VooDoo Doughnut

What have you tried somewhere else that you'd like to see come to Rockford? Two legendary family-owned Chicago chains will be opening locations in the area soon.

Two legendary Chicago establishments, Buona Beef and Rainbow Cone are coming, to E. Riverside Blvd, in Loves Park.